Personal injury law covers court cases where monetary compensation is requested by a plaintiff who was a victim of an accident or other civil law related issue. The defendant is the person or company that perpetuated the misdeed. This area of law covers much ground in civil matters, all the way to wrongful-death claims in murder or malpractice cases. There can be multiple injured parties as well as responsible persons in personal injury law. See also Premises Liability or Professional Negligence.
What is Personal Injury Law?
How Do These Cases Work?
First, civil cases require a lower burden of proof than do criminal cases. While a defendant may not be charged criminally, a civil court might find that person guilty and award monetary damages. It is also possible to receive punitive or punishing monetary damages when suing in civil court. This would mean a larger total sum awarded, above whatever amount of money would restore, or make whole, the damage that was caused. In order to bring a successful personal injury case, there must be negligence on behalf of the defendant, whether that is a company, drunk driver, nursing home, or another establishment or person acting in a way that would be harmful to the plaintiff. For more examples, see Justia.com
Areas Of Personal Injury
- Corporations – nursing homes, doctor practices, driving services, companies, service providers, and more
- Private citizens – drunk drivers, homeowners, guests to a home or property, etc.
- Negligence – whether it causes injury, damage to an item, or severe enough inconvenience that it would not be reasonably expected for the plaintiff to pay out of pocket to replace or repair an item.